Memento or Momento: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-12 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: When you choose between memento or momento, the correct spelling is always memento. This word refers to a tangible object kept as a reminder of a special memory or event. The alternate spelling, momento, is simply incorrect because it mimics the word for a brief period of time, which is unrelated to the concept of a souvenir or keepsake you intend to remember forever.

The Short Answer

Memento is the correct spelling for an object kept as a reminder or keepsake of a past experience. The variant momento is a misspelling that should never be used in formal or informal writing.

Confusion often arises because the sound of the final syllable matches the English word for a brief duration of time. People frequently hear the word spoken quickly and assume the visual spelling must match the concept of a fleeting moment rather than a lasting token of memory.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
memento	correct	when referring to a souvenir or keepsake
momento	incorrect	never, as it is a false spelling
noun	positional	used as a noun to describe the physical item
any region	positional	applicable in both American and British English

Correct Example Sentences

This antique coin served as a cherished memento from his European trip.
The teacher gave the student a small memento to mark his graduation.
She kept the broken watch as a memento of their childhood friendship.
He bought a seashell to use as a memento of his beach vacation.
The artist included a small memento for each guest at the party.
This book contained a pressed flower as a memento of the garden.
The soldier wore a badge as a memento of his time in the army.
She found an old ticket in her wallet and called it a meaningful memento.
He displayed his first baseball card as a memento of his youth.
The museum sold a miniature statue as a memento for the donors.
They exchanged rings as a memento of their engagement ceremony.
This song remains a memento of the day they met and fell in love.
The photographer kept the old film canister as a memento of the past.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

People often swap these words when writing about time passing.: Use memento to refer to an object that recalls a specific memory.
Many writers accidentally treat the word as a synonym for now.: Remember that momento is incorrect because it implies a point in time.
Spelling checkers sometimes miss this error if the context is vague.: Always verify that the object serves as a physical reminder of an event.
Some individuals believe the extra letter o changes the meaning.: No amount of extra letters makes the misspelling valid or useful.
Designers sometimes prioritize aesthetics over strict spelling rules.: Even beautiful items require correct spelling to remain a true memento.
Travelers frequently bring back souvenirs and confuse the two terms.: Label your keepsake correctly so friends know it is a memento.
Confusion arises because both words sound nearly identical to the ear.: Correct usage depends on the noun form representing an object, not a time frame.
Editors reject manuscripts that use the wrong version for a keepsake.: Submit your document with memento to ensure professional accuracy.
Language learners often struggle with the Latin root of the term.: Memento derives from a command to remember, whereas momento does not.

Related Word Pairs

Mnemonic: A memory aid that helps you recall information, such as the mnemonic device used to remember the order of the planets.
Amnesia: The loss of memory or recall, which can be temporary or permanent, often resulting from head injury or disease.
Reminisce: To recall past events with pleasure, such as when friends reminisce about their college days during a happy reunion.
Preservation: The action of maintaining something in its original condition, like the preservation of old letters in a time capsule.
Commemoration: A ceremony or event held to remember a person or event, often marked by a statue or monument dedicated to a hero.
Souvenir: An object kept as a reminder of a place visited, such as a small shell taken from a beach trip to the shore.
Recollection: The action of remembering something, like your clear recollection of the smell of rain from your childhood home.
Tradition: A belief or behavior passed from one generation to the next, such as the tradition of decorating a tree every winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between memento and momento?

Memento is the correct spelling for a keepsake or reminder of a past event. Momento is a misspelling that incorrectly mixes the concept of a memory with the word for a brief period of time, which is unrelated to the object itself.

Why do people write momento instead of memento?

People often write momento because the final syllable sounds identical to the English word for a short duration of time. This auditory similarity causes a spelling error, as the word actually derives from Latin and refers to a souvenir rather than a fleeting instant.

Is momento accepted in any English dictionary?

No standard English dictionary accepts momento as a valid word for a souvenir or keepsake. It is classified as a misspelling because the correct form is memento, which clearly distinguishes the object from the concept of time.

How many letters are in the correct word?

The correct word memento contains eight letters, spelled M-E-M-E-N-T-O. Counting the letters carefully will help you avoid the common trap of writing it with the wrong final syllable sequence that creates the misspelling.